South African Player of the Year Gregg Clark  x2
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| Planet Field Hockey |
December 11, 2000 
PlanetFieldHockey.com
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For Gregg Clark, it has been a year which has seen extremes of success and disappointment. He was named South Africa?s Player of the Year. But this honour came within months of being denied the opportunity to compete in hockey?s biggest event, the Sydney Olympics.
Clark and his teammates had qualified for the Sydney tournament but were barred from competing by NOCSA, South Africa?s Olympic Committee.
Clark, a speedy and skilful attacking midfielder, has moved to London, where he plays for Southgate in the Premier league. He has put the NOCSA debacle behind him, and talks to PlanetFieldHockey about England, South African hockey, and his future in the game.
THE CLARK FILE:
Hometown: Durban, SA
Club Teams:
South Africa - Natal Tech
England - Surbiton, Southgate
Holland - Bloemendaal
Years with South African National Team: 8 years, 170 games
Position: Played forward to begin with, but mainly in the midfield (preferably left)
Major Tournaments:
World Cup Qualifier Posnan, Poland '93
World Cup Sydney '94
Olympics Atlanta '96
World Cup Qualifier, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia '97
Commonwealth Games, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia '98
THE INTERVIEW:
PLANETFIELDHOCKEY: How do you feel now about NOCSA's decision not to send your team to the Olympics?
GREGG CLARK: It is always going to be very difficult to forgive and forget about such a huge part of ones life. The moment has gone now, (the Olympics), and so there isn't much reason in carrying the baggage around any longer. Let's just say that there is still a huge amount of dislike for the particular man involved, (Sam Ramsamy, President of NOCSA), and not just in the hockey squad, in South African sport in general.
PFH: How many of the team decided to quit after the decision?
GC: A few months ago it was about 10 guys from the squad. I think some of that was an initial reaction. I think 1 or 2 may still play again.
PFH: Do you think SA hockey can continue to improve and thrive from here?
GC: It is going to be pretty difficult. The players are disillusioned not only with NOCSA, but also the SAHA (South African Hockey Association). Some of the team feel SAHA weren't totally up-front with us during the whole Olympic saga. SAHA have also just undergone a major personnel change, so we wait to see if they can restore the faith. Having said that, there is enough talent back home to keep SA competitive with the top nations in hockey.
PFH: How strong will the team be for the World Cup in 2002?
GC: The squad should be pretty strong still. There are only about 14 months until the next World Cup. There is a new coach, and there will be a lot of new combinations to sort out. It all depends on how quickly everyone adapts.
PFH: What has brought you to England to play hockey at this stage of your career?
GC: The exchange rate. £1 = 11 SA Rand.
PFH: How do you like being in London?
GC: Apart from the weather, and everyone living on top of each other, it's still a great place. Loads to do when you're not playing hockey.
PFH: How does the lifestyle compare with home?
GC: Back home is a lot more laid back, and geared to the outdoors. Travelling is at a minimum, so everything is accessible, meaning you can do what you want, when you want.
PFH: How does the English league compare to the one at home?
GC: Back home we play regional leagues, so they are not as strong. We play a provincial tournament once a year, which is much more on a par.
PFH: What do you think hockey needs to do to appeal to a wider audience?
GC: Less players, bigger goals, scoring in the 25? Any one of those would change the
game considerably.
PFH: What are your future plans with hockey?
GC: At this stage, I am just taking things as they come. If I am still enjoying it, and feel the motivation to play at the highest level, I'll keep going.
PFH: And what about when you retire?
GC: No more hockey, lots of golf...
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